Nature Experienceship - Wildflowers with Dr. Leigh Johnson

Everyone was enthusiastic despite the dismal weather as we met with Dr. Leigh Johnson to go looking for wildflowers. After a brief explanation of flower anatomy and plant presses we loaded the vans and departed for Rock Canyon. We found our first wildflowers before we even left the parking lot. They were identified as a “LPFs” or “little purple flowers” which upon closer inspection turned out to be Musk Mustard from the Brassicaceae family. As we started walking down the trail Dr. Johnson was able to tell us lots of interesting things about the plants we saw. Using our hand lenses we were able to count the number of sepals, petals, and stamens. Dr. Johnson brought along some field guides and plant keys to help us learn to identify the plants we found. He also taught us some good characteristics for identifying plant families, such as Brassicaceae (mustards) always have 4 petals in the shape of a cross, and Boraginaceae have a flowering stock that curls up in a scorpoid shape. By the time we circled back to the parking lot we were wet, but everyone agreed that it was worth it!

Melissa, Museum Educator

2009 SUNDANCE EARTH FAIR

On April 11, 2009 Sundance held their annual Earth fair in honor of Earth day the 21st of April. Charlotte and I were in attendance at the fair with a booth promoting the love and appreciation of nature. It was an exciting fair filled with a number of other booths, crafts and performances. While we were there Charlotte and I drank from a keg of root beer, watched little children do the Hoop dance and made a newspaper earth.

Our booth was the best out of them all. We had a couple friends with us to draw people over. He had Rosie our rose-haired tarantula, Cuddles our ball python and our lovely cockroaches. All of our animals were a hit with the visitors but with the cockroaches being the least favorite. Many people, I believe, came over their fear of spiders by letting Rosie walk across their hands.

There were even some visitors all the way from Britain that were very excited to see our animals. These lovely ladies were even kind enough to point out that “musuem” was miss-spelled on our banner. Thank goodness it was not mine or Charlotte’s fault.

All in all, the Earth fair was wonderful except for the weather. What is up with it??

Beka, Museum Educator

Date Night - Dinner and a Movie

Saturday night the Bean Museum hosted another date night. It was a huge success. There is no better way to relax after a long week at school then with good food, good friends and movie. Couples enjoyed each other company while gorging themselves on pizza and pop. After everyone was well fed we headed down to the museum’s auditorium and watched a movie on the big screen. Couples said that they had a great time and can’t wait for another museum date night!

Katie Klaus, Museum Educator